What services you need and what you don't

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I just talked to the service manager at Champion Toyota in Austin and he told me the transmission fluid never needs to be changed in a prius. What am I missing here? My guy charges about $250 to change the inverter and transmission fluid. Reasonable?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Not sure about the price but here is a place to start reading on the transaxle oil change:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...8609-draft-transaxle-oil-testing-results.html

Have fun!

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

"Never" is a long time.

A few years ago, a number of Classic Prius owners noticed that the transaxle was failing often enough to be worrisome. This prompted the idea to have the used transaxle fluid tested (Bob Wilson was the key driver behind the idea) to see what it looked like.

The tests generally showed a 15+% decline in viscosity after as few as 15K miles for Classic, and 30K miles for 2G. The amount of Si and Fe in the used fluid was relatively large. Also, the amount of ferrous particle accumulation on the Classic drain pan magnet was scary.

The Si might be coming from leached case sealant or might be coming from dirt. The Fe is coming from gear wear.

Based upon the above, we have advocated preventive transaxle fluid changes since it won't hurt and might prolong transaxle life. However, there have been relatively few reports of 2G transaxle failure so the need to replace 2G transaxle fluid is probably reduced compared to Classic.

Since it is easy to change transaxle fluid, my personal practice is to replace that at 30K mile intervals for my 2004. Some owners think that 60K miles is adequate while others think that since the maintenance book is silent, its OK to ignore that fluid. However at the very minimum, I think that it is reasonable to change the transaxle fluid at 100K mile intervals.

$250 to change the inverter coolant and the transaxle ATF seems OK. The cost of fluids alone will be ~$22 for one gallon of Toyota SLLC and ~$35 for four US quarts of Toyota ATF WS. So if you consider that a couple hours of labor are required plus the usual charges for hazardous waste disposal, shop rags, etc. then $250 looks reasonable.

Don't forget that the engine coolant should also be changed when the inverter coolant is changed, and that will require another two gallons of SLLC plus another hour or so of labor to do the job right.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I am coming up on my 30k service, and the last time I had the oil change, it was recommended that I get the "induction" service. If I understand the paragraph above, I don't really need this service at this time. Is that correct?

 

That is correct, perform only those services that appear on the official Toyota Prius 30K mile scheduled maintenance guide.

If you notice any driveability issues, then that's another story.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Thanks, Patrick

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Concerning the possible damage to the bladder in generation II, has anyone had experience or knowledge of using Lucas UCL?
I've used this in my other vehicles with excellent results.
Walt

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't


Just wondering ( I was told to only have brakes done at Toyota) if it's possible to change front brake pads myself. I've done many other cars but are Prius' different with the regen system? Thanks

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

reor Re: What services you need and what you don't

Just wondering ( I was told to only have brakes done at Toyota) if it's possible to change front brake pads myself. I've done many other cars but are Prius' different with the regen system? Thanks
====

See Hobbit for detailed directions. The answer is YES!

[http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/]

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The good news is, the brakes lasted 5 times longer. My wife uses the the car for delivering mail, and at 45K it needed both (brakes and trans. oil change). Other vehicles needs new pads in 6 months, this lasted 2 1/2 years.

Just did mine yesterday, along with the transaxle oil change.t's EASY.

The tansaxle oil looked like engine oil, and very glad I did it.

Total cost for parts was $88, total time, with washing the car, 2 1/2 hrs.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

This is an old post but if you are in Austin I can recommend Flamingo motors for your Prius. Joe has done a bunch of mods to mine over the years and has the right software to properly change the brake fluid and other odd Prius only maintenance items.

 

So I just dropped off my 08 Prius (55269 miles) @ the dealer and they are replacing the cabin air filter, doing the EVAP services, replacing the engine air filter, and the EFI service. These are all firsts also, never had any of this stuff done before. Can someone please help me feel good about it, cause I don't really know if all of it was necessary or not, but what the hell. They also gave me a 15% discount on the total. I also read the original thread post, but didn't see some of the stuff on there that they are doing today.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

You can feel very good about the filters being replaced; at 55K miles that service was definitely past-due.

I don't know what an EVAP service is. Unless you had driveability problems, I would say that an EFI service (which I assume means some sort of fuel injector cleaner) was unneeded.

 

What is an "evap" service? First time I've heard of that

Why an "efi" service? Motor running poorly? Throw in a bottle of Techron

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

EVAP Evaporative Emission Control System

Apparently there is someone in New York who is selling something.

 

I am finding that with the decreased auto sales at dealerships and the economy slow, my dealer would say that dealer car washes were 'needed' and anything else they could find to raise income. My 08 has a very clean 30K miles now. They tried to tell me I needed complete head and valve 'cleaning' because why? Because the 'little' engine works SO hard that the poor thing is "dirty" !!!!!! LOLOL

I dont let them do the oil changes or tire service either. Mobil 1 and mobil 1 filter. When I needed new tires, they told me I had to get the integrity's and had to get them from them for warranty.

Obviously I told them "Oh no you didnt!" just say that! I have Coopers NOT at the dealer.

My dealer is for warranty or wanted service only. I decide what they work on if I allow them. Be careful. Starving dealers will tell you many interesting stories!

 

hello guys
i just bought my 2005 prius, my question is,,,,can i use the spark plugs(bosch brand) or i should use the orginal ones only??

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I think you should use the correct NGK or Denso iridium spark plugs as your first choice.

Second choice would be an iridium spark plug of a different brand, however the service life may not be as long.

I would recommend against using plugs that are not iridium.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

If the plugs are already in the car leave them alone. Life on spark plugs is over 100K for the Prius. Are you experiencing some sort of problem or are you simply curious?
If it's simple curiosity, one Iridium is as good as another. If there's some problem get it analyzed.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I disagree with this since the original equipment plugs have an iridium tip and a platinum contact on the ground electrode. Less expensive iridium plugs lack the platinum on the ground, hence the service life is reduced.